unworkable situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unworkable situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a scenario or condition that is impractical or impossible to resolve or manage effectively. Example: "The negotiations reached a point where it became clear that we were facing an unworkable situation, and further discussions would be futile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"But to suggest that it's an unworkable situation or game over is just not correct".

The New York Times

In a brief statement to DPA, the German news agency, Mr. Sommer of Deutsche Telekom praised the agreement as a reasonable solution to an unworkable situation.

The New York Times

But a good bit of unacceptable behaviour from a celebrity, company or total stranger can provide a useful excuse to vent, or maybe even cause displacement, where anger about some unworkable situation is redirected elsewhere.

The Guardian

The federal government's failure to verify applicant income has put states in an unworkable situation: there is no way to determine if an applicant should go into Medicaid, into an exchange plan, or if that applicant is eligible for any type of taxpayer-funded subsidies at all.

Forbes

An array of state laws would create an "unworkable situation" that would "hinder safety innovation, interstate commerce, national competitiveness, and the eventual deployment of autonomous vehicles," Google's self-driving car director, Chris Urmson, told members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation last month. .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We have become — perhaps we always were — a nation of artful dancers, turning away from old, unworkable situations and stepping into a bright new future on our own terms.

The New York Times

By having generation rely on a continuous supply of gas, these systems are not fully independent and can be unworkable in emergency situations.

HuffPost

The argument of this unctuous mob seems to be that the situation is unworkable because a bunch of holier-than-thou senators are intent on making it unworkable.

Huffington Post

(2) It will become evident that the situation is unworkable.

Huffington Post

In retrospect, those school administrators gave our family another gift: They put us in a situation so unworkable that we had to think out of the box.

Huffington Post

If they refuse to communicate at all, then the situation is unworkable.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a complex problem, use "unworkable situation" to clearly communicate that the problem is not just difficult but essentially impossible to resolve under the current conditions. This conveys a sense of urgency and the need for a radical change in approach.

Common error

Avoid using "unworkable situation" when a simpler phrase like "difficult problem" or "challenging situation" would suffice. Overusing complex phrases can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted. Reserve "unworkable situation" for scenarios that are truly impossible to resolve in their current state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unworkable situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "unworkable" is an adjective modifying the noun "situation". According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unworkable situation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe scenarios deemed impossible to resolve without significant intervention. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. While not overly common, its appearance in diverse contexts—ranging from news to scientific discourse—highlights its versatility. Alternatives such as "impossible scenario" or "impractical situation" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. When employing this phrase, ensure its gravity aligns with the problem at hand, avoiding overuse in place of simpler descriptors. Its function is to emphasize the impossibility of resolution, making it most effective when radical change is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impossible scenario

Focuses on the impossibility aspect rather than the difficulty of working with it.

impractical situation

Highlights the lack of practicality, making it difficult to implement or manage.

unsustainable situation

Emphasizes the inability to maintain the situation over time.

untenable situation

Stresses the indefensibility or unacceptability of the situation.

infeasible circumstance

Highlights the impossibility of achieving the desired outcome within the given circumstance.

hopeless case

Suggests a complete lack of hope for improvement or resolution.

no-win situation

Implies that any possible outcome will be negative or undesirable.

deadlock

Highlights a standstill where no progress is possible.

stalemate

Similar to deadlock, indicating a situation where neither party can move forward.

Catch-22

Describes a paradoxical situation where someone is trapped by contradictory rules.

FAQs

What does "unworkable situation" mean?

An "unworkable situation" refers to a set of circumstances that are impossible to manage or resolve effectively. It implies that the current conditions prevent any successful outcome without significant changes.

How to use "unworkable situation" in a sentence?

You can use "unworkable situation" to describe business projects, relationship dynamics or political environments. For example, "The merger created an "unworkable situation" due to conflicting management styles".

What can I say instead of "unworkable situation"?

You can use alternatives like "impossible scenario", "impractical situation", or "unsustainable situation" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "unworkable situation"?

Use "unworkable situation" when you want to emphasize that a situation is not just difficult, but fundamentally impossible to resolve without significant changes. This phrase is stronger than alternatives like "challenging situation".